Archive for February 15th, 2017

Robbins Unanimously Passes Resolution against Predatory Bank Deals Draining State and Local Budgets, asks for Attorney General to Take Action

Robbins, IL – On the eve of Governor Rauner’s budget address the Village of Robbins Board of Trustees passed a resolution targeting Wall Street banks that have drained hundred of millions of dollars from taxpayers through toxic interest rate swaps.

The resolution calls on Governor Rauner to negotiate a termination of the state’s remaining interest rate swaps with no further cost to Illinois taxpayers; resolves that the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of Robbins enforce a moratorium on entering into interest swap deals; and calls on Attorney General Lisa Madigan to investigate the state’s predatory swap deals and sue to recover the money that banks have taken from the state.

“I’m thrilled that my community is standing up to Wall Street and articulating clearly that we want public resources to be going to helping people not padding Wall Street bank profits,” said Barbara Pillow Sidibeh, a resident of Robbins following the vote. “Black and Brown communities across the state are facing massive targeted disinvestment as a result of these toxic deals with Wall Street banks.”

“Even while they consider halting payment to state workers, gutting public education, and cutting services, Rauner and the political establishment have been unwilling to stand up to Wall Street banks. Tonight the Village of Robbins showed how it can be done. Now we need Governor Rauner and Attorney General Lisa Madigan to do the right thing and put the interests of Illinois families before Wall Street bankers,” stated Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative.

A copy of the resolution can be found here: http://grassrootscollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/VillageOfRobbinsResolution.pdf

Logan Square residents and community members will hold a press conference and protest tonight at a Gentrification Dinner to be attended by 1st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno because of Moreno’s “continued approval of luxury developments and support of real estate…”

The press conference and protest will take place tonight at 2143 N. Stave Street (a private residency), February 15th at 7 p.m.

Organizers of the protest said First Ward Alderman Moreno’s continued approval of luxury developments and support of real estate speculation are directly responsible for skyrocketing rent, property taxes and the ever-increasing displacement of Latino residents in Logan Square. “Even when Alderman Moreno publicly stated he would block the development of a 138 unit luxury development on California Avenue, a move that would protect long time residents like the Chavez family at 2340 N California, Alderman Moreno backed down and will not downzone the project.

“Instead, he is opting to appear tonight at a $50 a plate “Gentrification Dinner” in Logan Square held in a private, multi-million dollar home.”

Dan Mihalopoulos brought this dinner to light in a scathing column published in the Chicago Sun Times on January 24:

“[Alderman Moreno’s] upcoming appearance at a $50-a-plate ‘Discussion of Gentrification with Ald. Joe Moreno’ won’t quiet criticism that he’s spurring on the displacement of working-class families.

“Guests will have an opportunity to speak with Ald. Moreno and ask how his policies and initiatives have helped shape the ward,’ according to an online invitation for the ‘Community Dining’ event on Feb. 15…

‘This is a joke, isn’t it?’ said Justine Bayod Espoz, an anti-gentrification activist with the Somos Logan Square nonprofit group. ‘Charging $50 a plate for a gentrification dinner? Can you see why this is baffling? If you ask people to pay $50 a plate, all you’re going to hear is pro-gentrification stuff.’

Moreno says he’s looking forward to it….

Bayod Espoz and other activists from Somos Logan Square were not invited to the community event. I told them about it.

In response to the disparaging remarks made about conscientious constituents and the $50 price tag attached to having a seat at Alderman Moreno’s table, Logan Square residents will be picketing this Gentrification Dinner with community members demanding their right to be heard and speaking about their personal experiences with gentrification.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – It is the number one reason that Black-owned businesses fail: Simply put – not enough money and not enough places to get it.

That’s why as America commemorates Black History Month, the US Black Chamber Inc. (USBC), an association of more than 122 Black chambers and 265,000 business owners, is escalating publicity on its partnership with historic, Black-owned Liberty Bank. Both entities are determined to break economic barriers that have historically oppressed Black people.

“Our history is full of trailblazers and pioneers that fought to build our community from the ground up. We owe it to them to sustain our community,” says Ron Busby, USBC president/CEO.

“The top three concerns facing Black entrepreneurs are access to capital, access to capital, and access to capital,” Busby says. “As the voice of Black business owners, our focus during Black History Month is to highlight the importance of economic sustainability in the Black community and the dire lack of funding facing Black businesses.”

The USBC has launched what it calls a “buy-Black, bank-Black initiative” as a solution to spur economic growth in the Black community.

“Bank-Black is the single most powerful economic movement currently taking place in Black America,” Busby says. “Now is the time to utilize our Black banks as more than a place to hold our money, but as a resource for securing capital.”

As a part of this initiative, a USBC Bank-Black Credit Card is being offered in partnership with New Orleans-based Liberty Bank, a historic institution and one of the leading banks of the National Bankers Association (NBA).

“Through our relationship with Liberty Bank, we can now provide access of up to $10,000 with an unsecured line of credit at an annual percentage rate of 9.96 percent and with a credit score as low as 570. We think this is game-changing in that it now provides the needed resources for African-Americans to be able to move our communities to sustainability,” Busby says.

Black businesses have long suffered oppressive redlining by major national banks. Even the Small Business Administration has barely reached 3 percent in its loans to Black-owned businesses. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2014 that more than half of Black business owners do not apply for business loans when they need it because of fear of being turned down. According to a report by NewsOne Now, their “fear is justified” as “only 47 percent of Black business owners get the full amount they requested versus 76 percent of Whites.”

The Wall Street Journal reported last year that national banks tilting toward major mortgages “means fewer loans for Blacks, Hispanics.” This leaves Black-owned community banks to do what they have historically done – serve the underserved.

Despite the proven historic wrongs of government and corporate discrimination, NBA President Michael Grant says Black business owners must now find ways to rescue themselves.

“When it comes to the burden of proof of who is ultimately responsible for the economic survival of the Black community in America, I’m arguing that the burden of proof has shifted to the Black community itself,” Grant says. “It does not in any way remove the responsibility of government to be fair. It doesn’t remove the responsibility of corporate America to be fair and to treat Black consumers and their businesses with equity. But the burden of proof of who is ultimately going to save the Black community, I am arguing that this must be the Black community.”

Grant continues, “Even if it means our advocacy, supporting our own businesses, going to our leadership asking, ‘What are your plans for the economic survival of Black people in this country?’ the burden of proof has shifted to us. And this credit card, in no small way, says that we are accepting the burden of proof. We’re saying, ‘Okay, if our businesses are having a difficult time in majority banks getting access to credit, what can the Black banks do about it? How can we accept that burden? How can we step up and revive access to credit?’ That’s what this has done.”

Despite negative stereotypes, Grant points to the education and professionalism of African-Americans in business and in banking as what enables them to create their own economic strategies for survival.

For example, Liberty Bank President Alden J. McDonald, Jr., is the longest tenured African-American financial executive in the country. His nearly 45 years of experience in the banking industry was first established with his presidency of Liberty, which started with the bank’s founding in 1972. The bank’s website credits his “strategic vision and hard work” for the success of the bank. Assets have grown from $2 million in 1972 to more than $600 million currently.

“Our relationship and our partnership with the US Black Chamber is a partnership that will make certain that available credit is based on a level playing field,” says McDonald. “And one of the reasons why we feel the relationship with Liberty Bank is important is because Liberty Bank is very sensitive to the credit challenges of the community. And therefore, our underwriting standards are taken into consideration for the small business person.”

Grant stressed that Black-owned banks can strengthen the economy of the Black community while operating within a stringent regulatory environment.

“Our banks, like any bank, have to adhere to the regulators. We can’t get around that. What we can do is when you come to our banks, we can talk with you, we can take a little extra time with you. We can tell you where the flaws are in your business plan, we can tell you that if you don’t qualify for credit, then here are the things that you can do so that you can become credit worthy. But, the bottom line is that the burden of proof has shifted to the Black community and its leaders and its organizations,” he said.

Ultimately, money in Black-owned banks is a win for everyone, Busby concludes.

“We want African-Americans to have money in Black banks because we feel that Black banks historically provided the resources in Black communities. But, we’re taking it a step further, understanding that banks truly make the largest profits by providing loans and receiving fees,” he says.

“And so we feel like this is a win, win, win. It’s a win for the Black bank, which has additional capital to lend. It’s a win for the individuals because they can now get capital at an affordable rate. And it’s a win for the community because the banks can now make the loans that homeowners and business owners need. The USBC takes great pride in commemorating Black History Month with a tribute that honors Black history and anticipates an even greater Black future.”

Group Slams Governor Bruce Rauner’s Non-Budget Address for the 3rd Year in a Row

On Wednesday, following the Governor’s budget address, community members tired of Rauner’s blame game and policies of targeted community disinvestment will join with legislators to announce a new plan to put people back on the agenda in Illinois.

The status quo has failed millions of Illinoisans and Rauner doubled down on this failure. The people of Illinois are a smart investment. Instead of wasting public resources on providing loopholes for corporations and wealthy stock traders, the group will lay out a legislative agenda that provides Illinois families with the programs and services they need to prosper.

The event will be held February 15th 2017 at the Illinois State Capital, outside the Governor’s Office, in Springfield, Il at 1:20 p.m.

Members of the General Assembly standing in support, Members of the Grassroots Collaborative including: Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Chicago Teachers Union, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, SEIU Healthcare Illinois, will be in attendance, including:

Case Before the U.S. Supreme Court Could Void 2016 Primary and General Elections

Jerroll Sanders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands will travel to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Presidents’ Day weekend to participate in a two-day appeal to the Supreme Court Justices to overturn the 2016 primary and general elections due to election hacking. The Revote Coalition is hosting the two-day event, which will begin with a 6 p.m. Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, Feb.. 19, and conclude with a rally that starts at noon on Monday, Feb. 20, which is Presidents’ Day.

Jerroll Sanders, spokesperson for the group and legal strategist who wrote the writ of mandamus that is now before the Court, explains that courts are obligated to function as objective triers of fact: “The Presidents’ Day Weekend events have the same purpose as an amicus [friend of the court] brief. It is our way of providing citizens from all parties, persuasions and backgrounds an opportunity to express lack of confidence in the 2016 elections and to call for a revote.”

Sanders adds that the revote effort is not intended to advance the interests of any particular party or candidate, but rather to protect citizens’ rights to vote and select the people who occupy the highest positions in our land.

“A revote is good for everyone, including President Trump,” Sanders states. “President Trump and congressional leaders who may have benefited from the hacks will remain under a shroud of illegitimacy until the question of who really won the elections is answered. If President Trump actually won, he will win again.” Sanders notes that a revote can be accomplished within a few months, using paper ballots cast under the watchful eyes of citizens.

The pending revote case before the Supreme Court argues that Article IV, Section 4, of the U.S. Constitution requires the United States to protect States against invasion, which Sanders argues includes cyber invasion as well: “In 2016, the U.S. Government failed to protect States against invasion. As a result, cyber terrorists invaded our cyberspace and intruded into our election systems, leaving States unable to determine the source of winning votes with certainty. A revote is the only appropriate remedy.”

The coalition will share its stage with entertainers, speakers, artists and advocates from across the nation who are working on a variety of issues. The U.S. Supreme Court is located at 1 First St NE, Washington, D.C. 20543. For more information, visit www.Revote.info or email contact@Revote.info.

CHICAGO, IL – After delivering a letter (attached) to the school’s Institute of Politics (IOP), asking it to “to stop providing a platform to surrogates of the Trump administration” a group of students, faculty and staff are planning to protest an appearance by former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski later today. Individuals involved in drafting the letter and in planning the protest are available for comment.

Faculty, staff, students and community members will protest today, February 15th at 3:30 p.m., at 57th and S. University (in front of the Quadrangle Club). A visual banner reads“Bigotry is not normal.”

Organizers of the protest expect over 100 UofC students, staff and faculty to attend the protest and have also invited “all of Chicago” to attend.

In addition to protesting Lewandowski, organizers are demanding that the UofC and its affiliates stop hosting Trump surrogates, like press secretary Sean Spicer, who spoke at the IOP last month. Anton Ford, an associate professor of philosophy, notes that Lewandowski and Spicer’s “rhetoric and worldview incites hate and violence against people who are already the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our community.”

“It would be bad enough for them to be hosting these figures at all. But to have this event as a private, off-the record ‘conversation’ means that Lewandowski is even less likely to be challenged and questioned publicly,” elaborated Ford. Lewandowski’s talk is open only to UofC students and media are barred from attending.

The University of Chicago campus has seen a significant uptick in white supremacist activity since the fall. Two separate neo-Nazi groups have plastered university buildings in racist posters. In December, swastika-covered images of Hitler were hung across the campus, including on the front door of the building that houses the centers for race and gender studies. Last week, another group put up dozens of posters encouraging white people to “become great again” and to “protect your heritage.”

“The UofC has failed to take meaningful action against the presence of white supremacist hate groups on campus. When you view that alongside inviting someone like Lewandowski to campus, it sends a clear signal that racists are welcome at this University,” argued Kylie Zane, who graduated from the UofC last year.

Day before hearings on David Friedman, Trump nominee for Israeli ambassador, participants join national day of action against both anti-Muslim, anti-Immigrant, anti-Palestinian leaders

Chicago march and rally, as part of a national day of action to oppose Trump/Netanyahu agenda

CHICAGO, IL — The protests, rallies, and collective movement building that we are witnessing across the United States are inspiring. People from different struggles are coming together to disrupt agendas based on racism, bigotry, and Islamophobia and send a definite message that we will be fighting back.

In the midst of all this beautiful resistance, the White House announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be coming to DC to meet with Trump on February 15. We can expect that this meeting will result in even more open US support for Israeli policies that deny Palestinian rights, including the building of illegal settlements, and a further cementing of the “shared values” of racism and hate.

Netanyahu even tweeted: “President Trump is right. I built a wall along Israel’s southern border. It stopped all illegal immigration. Great success. Great idea.” Although not shocking, his praise for such an unjustifiable policy is reprehensible.

The protest march will be held 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, February 15th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting at the Tribune Tower and march until they reach Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago, 401 N. WABASH AVENUE.

The march is sponsored by the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine, co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago

“We are marching to stop raids, stop tearing apart families and end deportations.”

The Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP) was formed in September of 2000, days after the launch of the 2nd Intifada in Palestine. Ever since, it has led the unified Palestinian community responses to events, issues, and crises in Palestine and the Arab World. The coalition is made up of Chicago-area Arab and Palestinian individuals and institutions, with the leading organizational members of the including American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Chicago Islamic Center, Palestinian American Community Center, Palestinian American Council (PAC), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)-Chicago, and the United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN).

JVP-Chicago is the local branch of Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org), a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Jewish Voice for Peace has over 200,000 online supporters, over 60 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In response to the number of gun violence victims in Chicago last year skyrocketing to over 4,000, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, sponsored a resolution urging the Governor to declare a state of emergency in areas where violent crime is a serious problem. Ford is also urging the deployment of agency resources to combat violent crime.

“The sad fact is that in 2016, Chicago had more murders than any city in the nation,” said Ford. “We have to address the elephant in the room and understand that the violence in our city is getting to the point where we cannot use Band-Aid fixes, and instead we must address the issues that are below the surface.”

Ford sponsored House Resolution 18, a measure urging Gov. Rauner to declare a state of emergency in areas most impacted by violence. In declaring a state of emergency, Rauner would call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond and implement emergency plans to solve root causes of issues in high violence areas.

“Our leadership loves to speak on the violence that occurs on a daily basis in our state’s marquee city, but they seldom come with real solutions or help,” said Ford. “With the House passing this needed resolution, we are collectively saying that we are not afraid to do what is necessary to save our children from senseless violence. I hope that Governor Rauner sees this resolution and decides to finally take action instead of watching from the sidelines.”

House Resolution 18 was adopted by the House on February 9, and will be presented to the governor for action.

Ford represents the 8th Representative District, which includes parts of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood and portions of Berwyn, Brookfield, Forest Park, La Grange, North Riverside and Oak Park. For more information call 773-378-5902, 708-445-3673 or visit www.LaShawnFord.com

EVANSTON – Piccolo Theatre presents Private Eyes, a relationship comedy thriller by Steven Dietz, open Saturday, February 18 at 8p at The Piven Theatre Workshop. In the wake of January’s inauguration, the entertainment industry is experiencing a decrease in revenue due in large part to the fear and confusion generated from the 2016 presidential election. Sports, performing arts, and escapism organizations are struggling to meet cash flow because patrons are changing their spending habits. Piccolo Theatre continues to provide affordable, shared experiences in comedy in the hope that its mission can serve as more than an outlet for escapism during the Election Year Effect.

Artistic Director Michael D. Graham explains, “Everyone was having the same problem. It was an election year. People like to hold onto their money and they like to be safe during times of uncertainty. Getting donations was more difficult and individual ticket sales were really down. We are reaching out to our patrons, and not going to bombard them with politics. There is a place for that in the theater and I want other companies to continue to do that. But Piccolo is a place where people can have a bit of refuge from the world…something they can enjoy and set aside their day-to-day lives for awhile.”

Joshua D. Allard, Managing Director of Piccolo Theatre, Inc. shares the sentiment, “Entertainment allows us to seek to become the best parts of ourselves regardless of our fears; reminds us that we are human, and more capable than our fears would have us believe. It is integral that we do not give up on anything that can bring joy, perspective or unity simply because it requires spending. We launched our own version of half-priced tickets called Piccolo Cheap Tix, available through our Square Marketplace online store. We would rather maximize our revenue with lower processing fees and reinvest the profit in our company and community. We are doing our part to fight fear with laughter. It’s all connected.”

Private Eyes fit the company’s interest in a contemporary script that was mysterious and funny, in which humor came out of a sense of surprise. “There’s a lot of misdirection. You think you’re watching one thing, but it turns out its something else,” Graham explained. “I’m also trying to move our focus back to the actors and the story. That’s always been the main goal of Piccolo – to really explore the characters and their relationships.”

Private Eyes previews February 16 & 17 at 8:00p; opens Saturday, February 18 at 8:00p; and runs through March 19, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00p, and Sundays at 3p. All Performances at Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes St, Evanston, IL 60201. Tickets are only available through the Piccolo Theatre Box Office, (847) 424-0089, Tuesday-Friday 10a-5p.

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — On February 10, 2017, proposed legislation was submitted to the DC Board of Elections. It is a model for legislators to provide opportunities for previous slave owners, and those that participated in enslavement of African Americans families to make amends.

The proposed legislation submitted by John Cheeks, head of the United States Citizens Recovery Initiative Alliance Inc. (USCRIA), is the first legislation to provide benefits, at no cost to the taxpayers. It is also an opportunity for individual families, industries, businesses, faith based institutions, governments and others to be held accountable.

The Legislation will help descendants of American Slaves, many of whom live in poor, underserved, and high crime areas in the United States. The benefits are not handouts, and differ from other historical reparations, such as those given to Japanese citizens entered during WW II and Native Americans.

Cheeks comments, “All benefits are designed to improve life for individuals, families and communities. In doing so, the nation benefits.”

His proposal is that these benefits will be paid by major U.S. and international corporations and foreign governments which fostered and participated in slave trade. Budgets are being prepared for distribution of funds collected from those entities that participated in some way with slavery. Eligibility criteria have been proposed which include proof by DNA testing. Those claiming benefits must be 40% descendants of slaves, and born in the United States.

Distribution of the benefits has been proposed, in part, to be based on DC Ward populations. Further details are being studied and are schedule to be submitted to the Board of Elections the end of this month. This is necessary for the initiative to be on the November, 2017 ballot for the public to vote if such an initiative should be enacted into law.

The proposed law, the DC Recovery Act, objective is to restore identities, cure injuries and provide opportunities and justice to families that were subjected to inhumane treatment.

The proposed legislation was drafted over a year, by a team of experts and citizens working with USCRIA, and was submitted to the DC Board or Elections, on the same date as the United States Congress initiated the Fugitive Slave Law on February 12, 1793.

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Welcome to CopyLine Magazine! The first issue of CopyLine Magazine was published in November, 1990, by Editor & Publisher Juanita Bratcher. CopyLine’s main focus is on the political arena – to inform our readers and analyze many of the pressing issues of the day - controversial or otherwise. Our objectives are clear – to keep you abreast of political happenings and maneuvering in the political arena, by reporting and providing provocative commentaries on various issues. For more about CopyLine Magazine, CopyLine Blog, and CopyLine Television/Video, please visit juanitabratcher.com, copylinemagazine.com, and oneononetelevision.com. Bratcher has been a News/Reporter, Author, Publisher, and Journalist for 33 years. She is the author of six books, including “Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor” (Harold Washington), Chicago’s first African-American mayor; and “Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders,” about John Herman Stroger, Jr., the first African-American elected President of the Cook County Board. Bratcher is also a Poet/Songwriter, with 17 records – produced by HillTop Records of Hollywood, California. Juanita Bratcher Publisher